Arenavirus

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Arenavirus
Lassa virus virions
Virus classification
Group:	Group V ((-)ssRNA)
Family:	Arenaviridae
Genus:	Arenavirus

Arenavirus is a genus of virus. The type species is Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV); it also includes the species responsible for Lassa fever.

Etymology

Viewed in cross-section, they show grainy particles that are ribosomes acquired from their host cells. It is from this characteristic gave them their name, Arena comes from the Latin root meaning sand.

Virology

This section requires expansion.

Classification

Arenaviruses can be divided into two serogroups, which differ genetically and by geographical distribution:^[1]

• LCMV-Lassa virus (Old World) complex:
  • Ippy virus
  • Lassa virus
  • Lujo virus
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
  • Mobala virus
  • Mopeia virus
• Tacaribe virus (New World) complex:
  • Amapari virus
  • Chapare virus
  • Flexal virus
  • Guanarito virus
  • Junin virus
  • Latino virus
  • Machupo virus
  • Oliveros virus
  • Paraná virus
  • Pichinde virus
  • Pirital virus
  • Sabiá virus
  • Tacaribe virus
  • Tamiami virus
  • Whitewater Arroyo virus

Structure

The virus particles are spherical and have an average diameter of 110-130 nanometers. All are enveloped in a lipid membrane. Viewed in cross-section, they show grainy particles that are ribosomes acquired from their host cells.

Genome

Their genome, or genetic material, is composed of RNA only, and while their replication strategy is not completely understood, it is known that new viral particles, called virions, are created by budding from the surface of their hosts’ cells.

Viral reservoir

Some arenaviruses are zoonotic pathogens and are generally associated with rodent—transmitted disease in humans. Each virus usually is associated with a particular rodent host species in which it is maintained.

Epidemiology

Vectors

Recent outbreaks

A new species of arenavirus named the Lujo virus has been linked to five patients who exhibited symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever in South Africa.^[2] The disease originated near Lusaka, Zambia and spread to Johannesburg, South Africa, after the first patient was transported to a hospital there. The results of genetic sequencing tests conducted by epidemiologists at Columbia University in New York CIty, USA, and at the Special Pathogens Branch of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, USA, provided evidence that the causative agent of the disease is a virus from the Arenaviridae family, which ultimately resulted in the deaths of four out of the five infected in Zambia and South Africa during the outbreak which began in September 2008.

WHO and its Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) partners continue to support the Ministries of Health of the two countries in various facets of the outbreak investigation, including laboratory diagnosis, investigations, active case finding and follow-up of contacts.^[3]

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links